our history and mission

In the Eighteenth Century, California was part of the colony known as New Spain. This enormous territory was rich in promise, but only sparsely populated. The missions where Spanish priests preached to Native Americans were lonesome outposts, and routes into the heart of New Spain were few.

In 1775, Captain Juan Bautista De Anza embarked on a daring mission for the Viceroy of New Spain: he was to lead nearly 300 colonists and 1,000 head of cattle on a 1,200-mile trek from what is now the Mexican border into the far north. And this he did. Despite all the hardships of such an epic journey, De Anza and his followers reached Mission San Francisco de Asis—present day San Francisco—on March 28, 1776.

161 years later, a group of Riverside, California horsemen decided to honor De Anza's ride by re-enacting his trip along a portion of the De Anza Trail. That first ride was in April of 1937, and it has continued to take place every April since. The particular section of trail chosen varies from year; it may lead through desert sand, over cactus-covered foothills or beneath pine trees in the high mountains. At the end of the week, the lights burn late and the "De Anza Trail Caballeros" are joined by their wives for an evening of dinner and dancing.

Our mission is not only to commemorate Juan Bautista De Anza, but also to encourage the development and use of the De Anza trail and the other historical trails between Riverside and the Mexican border. In our opinion, trail riding is a noble and fascinating sport, a way to share companionship, horsemanship, love of nature and love of history with friends old and new. Riding together fosters the best qualities of a "Gentleman on Horseback".